The Ecuadorian presidency announced yesterday, Saturday, that President Lenin Moreno reduced his salary and the salaries of members of the government in half due to the crisis caused by the emerging Corona virus.
The Presidency said that it was decided, by decree, to "reduce by 50%" the salaries of the President, Vice President, Ministers and their deputies.
She explained that "the decline in state revenues as a result of the Covid 19 crisis had negative effects on the country's economy, and for this reason it is necessary to reduce the salaries of officials."
On April 12, Moreno announced on Twitter his intention to reduce his and the salaries of other senior government officials, and the measure entered into force formally after it was signed on May 8.
Previously, the president's monthly salary exceeded the equivalent of five thousand dollars, while his vice president was paid 4,800 dollars, ministers 4400 dollars, and their representatives 4200 dollars.
The minimum wage in Ecuador is $ 400.
It is expected that these announced cuts at the highest level in the country will lead to a general review of wages in the public sector, because there is an Ecuadorian law that states that no employee can receive a monthly wage higher than the president’s salary.
According to the latest toll, Ecuador recorded 29071 cases of the virus, including 1717 confirmed deaths.
The authorities have also registered more than 1912 deaths suspected of being linked to the virus.